NGO Politics 101, Continued – The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

Since I have highlighted a conservative Canadian think tank I thought I would contrast it with its counter part in the US. The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research founded in 1943 has as its mission to support the “foundations of freedom – limited government, private enterprise, vital cultural and political institutions, and a strong foreign policy and national defense.” They are a nonprofit organization but benefit industry and so are supported primarily by grants and contributions from corporations, and wealthy individuals. AEI claims to be nonpartisan and takes no institutional positions on pending legislation or other policy questions.
However, it is the leading architect of the Bush administration’s public policy. The Bush administration is peppered with AEI Alumni. Unlike the many lefties that claim AEI is the tail that wags the dog, I suspect it is more just that, like minds, are nurtured in the same clubs and associations. No doubt Bush has used the AEI to his benefit but I am not convinced there is a vast AEI plot afoot to control government.
AEI was founded in 1943 by Lewis H. Brown President of Johns-Manville. Johns-Manville was the largest asbestos manufacturer in the US during the 1930s, and was involved in a massive coverup of the severe health risks asbestos causes. The pro-business stance of AEI is not as covert as the rightwing bent of the Fraser Institute, they are straight forward in their belief in limited government, and its subsequent influence on private enterprise. Although I do find it disturbing how many senior Bush Policy advisors are AEI alumni so to speak. Like Lynne Cheney and by association her husband Dick Cheney (AKA Deadeye Dick), Newt Gingrich, Jeane Kirkpatrick etc…..